DISPERSED PHASE SURFACE AREA AS A FUNCTION OF DROP SIZE

OBJECTIVE:
This spreadsheet graphically illustrates the effect of varying dispersed phase droplet size on contact area
and subsequent treating efficiency in liquid/liquid contactors.
Information can be used to troubleshoot and optimize liquid/liquid contactor performance.

DIRECTIONS:
Input value of Individual Droplet Volume in gray cell (red number) only!
Spreadsheet fixes Total Dispersed Phase Volume and calculates Total Number of Droplets, Droplet Diameter,
and Total Contacting Surface Area between the two liquid phases.
Vary Individual Droplet Volume to alter graphical profile.

Total Volume of Total Number Diameter of Total

Volume of Individual
Dispersed Phase of Individual Droplets Surface Area
Droplets (m3)
(m3) Droplets (microns) (m2)

1.0 2.00E-12 5.00E+11 156 38,377

1.00E-11 1.00E+11 267 22442.82
5.00E-11 2.00E+10 457 13124.64
TOTAL DISPERSED PHASE SURFACE AREA
TOTAL SURFACE AREA (m2)

2.50E-10 4.00E+09 782 7675.34

AS A FUNCTIONOF
1.25E-09 DROP SIZE
8.00E+08 1337 4488.56
AT CONSTANT
6.25E-09 DISPERSED PHASE VOLUME
1.60E+08 2286 2624.93
3.13E-08 3.20E+07 3909 1535.07
45,000 1.56E-07 6.40E+06 6684 897.71
7.81E-07 1.28E+06 11429 524.99
40,000 DROP SIZE TOO SMALL -->
STABLE EMULSION FORMATION

35,000
TARGET DROP SIZE (250 - 350 microns) -->
OPTIMAL PHASE CONTACT EFFICIENCY
30,000
TOTAL SURFACE A
45,000

40,000 DROP SIZE TOO SMALL -->

STABLE EMULSION FORMATION

35,000
TARGET DROP SIZE (250 - 350 microns) -->
OPTIMAL PHASE CONTACT EFFICIENCY
30,000
DROP SIZE TOO LARGE -->
25,000
LOSS IN PHASE CONTACT EFFICIENCY

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000

DROP DIAMETER (microns)

HAWKWIND